SOUTHPORT child-killer Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison today for the “sadistic” murders of three girls.

The 18-year-old was sentenced in his absence at Liverpool Crown Court after indicating he would be “disruptive” if he was present in the courtroom.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died in the attack.

Rudakubana also attempted to murder eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Goose said: “He will serve almost the whole of his life in custody.

“I consider it likely he will never be released and he will be in custody for all of his life.”

The judge said he “must accept” that there was no evidence he acted for a terrorist cause but added that his actions were “equivalent” to terrorism.

He said Rudakubana targeted these children for the “horrific extreme violence he was intent upon.”